Own a Duplex? Here Are Some Top Tips to Maximise Your Space

Double the height, double the possibilities!

When it comes to melding functionality with a cool factor, it’s hard to beat a duplex. This type of property is distinguished by high ceilings, plenty of windows, and a connecting second storey in a single condominium unit. Typically, the upper floor of many duplexes has a smaller floor size than the lower floor. In addition, unlike regular condo units, a duplex can give the impression of living in a larger space because the living room is twice the height of a regular one.

For these reasons, renovating a duplex can be an exciting and rewarding project. However, it can also be a complex and time-consuming process that requires careful planning, budgeting, and execution. In this article, we’ll explore some key factors to consider when renovating a duplex so that you can ensure that your project is a success and that you end up with a space that meets your needs!

Note: Not to be confused with a penthouse, which is always located on the highest floor of a condo, a duplex unit can be constructed on any floor. In fact, it can be built on every level.

1. Use soundproofing materials to sound insulate your home

The open-plan layout and double-height living rooms of duplexes are huge pluses for many homeowners. However, one drawback of this design is that noise, especially from the living area, can easily travel throughout the entire space. This can be a bother, especially if you share the duplex with others.

To minimise the impact of reflected noise in your home, consider using soft and dense materials that can absorb sound effectively. Placing rugs on your floors can significantly reduce echoes.

Additionally, using blackout curtains can also help absorb noise. When it comes to walls, consider incorporating acoustic panels, acoustic foam, or drywall. Another strategy is to introduce large furniture pieces like bookcases, as demonstrated in this 1500 sqft duplex in KL, to effectively reduce sound transmission.

2. Create a cohesive look through colours

Designing a duplex is like designing one huge room. Perhaps even more so than a regular home, you’ll need to consider how different elements of the space work together from different angles. Therefore, it's important to have a cohesive colour palette that ties the space together.

Take a cue from this 775 sqft duplex in Kuala Lumpur, where complimentary green and red colours can be found not only on the walls and curtains, but also on some of the furniture and decorative features such as the potted plants. The master bedroom's cosy parquet floors showcase deep red tones that contrast with the green hues seen in the wall, sliding door, and plant. The combination of these tones results in a home that is not overly busy or visually cluttered.

3. Make the most of your vertical space

Double-height spaces look much more spacious, while allowing for better ventilation and illumination in the communal area. However, the large volume can lead to a disproportionate amount of negative space, in turn making your furniture appear small. To ensure that your high ceilings don't dwarf everything else, hang your curtains from floor to ceiling and then add a large vertical piece of decor, such as an oversized painting.

This 860 sqft duplex in KL demonstrates how it's done. Blaine Robert Design used towering contemporary artwork to highlight the elongated wall while reducing negative space. Meanwhile, the floor-to-ceiling curtain helps to emplify the lofty feel of the living room.

4. Keep things low to the ground

Due to the high ceilings on the main floor of the duplex, the raised bedroom area tends to have lower ceilings. In such cases, it is advisable to opt for furniture and decor that are closer to the ground. This not only accommodates the limited ceiling height but also ensures convenience and safety.

Take design inspiration from this 500 sqft duplex in Kuala Lumpur, featuring a platform bed. To infuse a cosy atmosphere into the bedroom, Airhost incorporated a rug, throw pillows, a bean chair and artwork to fill up the empty space. The inclusion of various patterns, textures, and colours not only adds visual intrigue, but also elevates the overall style of this uber cosy space.

5. Introduce custom-fit furniture for a neat and organised appearance

A common challenge when renovating a duplex is furnishing it with store-bought furniture. This may not be the best approach to maximising space because store-bought furniture normally comes in conventional sizes that may appear either tiny or too large for your duplex, which typically has a double height living room and a considerably lower-height upper floor.

Custom built-ins are a more sensible choice in duplexes because they can be tailored to fit into your space, as well as make use of odd angles and dead spaces or fill the gaps between spaces.

Consider this 2600 sqft duplex in Selangor. We love how the built-in cabinets are integrated seamlessly into the home's structure. Overall, the custom built-ins lend a clean and neat appearance to the home.

6. Centre your furniture

When renovating a duplex, be mindful of how you arrange your furniture within the space. This is a great opportunity to avoid pushing all the furniture to the edges and centering it all in the middle of a room. Otherwise, it would create a wide void in the centre of the room, making it feel less intimate.

This duplex in Penang illustrates this point perfectly. The living area occupies the space nicely in the middle, which makes the whole space look welcoming and inviting. Meanwhile, the soft tones and natural materials, as well as the abundance of comforting details, lend a cosy feel to this home.

7. Don’t overdress your windows

Having a duplex comes with the significant benefit of having large floor-to-ceiling windows, which can pose a challenge when deciding on suitable window coverings. It is essential to find window treatments that strike the right balance between allowing ample natural light to enter the space while creating a comfortable atmosphere.

Ideally, you would want to avoid overly heavy window treatments that completely block the sunlight, resulting in a darkened room. Instead, opt for subtle window treatments such as sheer curtains, UV-reducing window films or roller shades. This ensures that you can enjoy both ample natural light and captivating outdoor views.

This 1289 sqft duplex in Selangor serves as a great example for illustrating the point. The use of a simple roller blind allows the owners to effortlessly retract it, brighten up the home and enjoy an unobstructed view of the city whenever desired.

8. Use furniture to create different zones or as a partial wall

Another challenge when renovating a duplex is defining the boundaries between spaces. While the open-layout nature of a duplex is worth preserving, sometimes you'll need to add partitions to make the space more functional or private. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to build walls to divide spaces in your home.

If rooms need to be properly divided with partitions, consider utilising transparent materials like glass or large sliding pocket doors so you can retain an open plan atmosphere while also achieving a certain level of privacy as seen in this 3000 sqft duplex in KL.

Furniture is also a good way to divide up spaces in a semi-permanent way, allowing you to change the layout later on. Here is a great example to illustrate the point. A console table is placed behind the staircase to create an obstructive view of the living room from the kitchen without making any permanent or structural changes to the home.

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